Report: Dish Network’s Streaming TV Service Might Be Cheap

Dish Network may be trying to win back cord cutters with its planned Internet TV service.

A report by Bloomberg claims that the streaming video service could be cheaper than the company’s satellite offering:

The company aims to offer the service as soon as it can get enough programming deals in place, and is considering charging $20 to $30 a month, said people with knowledge of the matter who asked not to be identified because the plans are private.

“We think there is a group of individuals, 18-to-34-year-olds, who would love to have a lower-cost product with some of the top content out there,” [Dish chief commercial officer Dave] Shull said. “That’s who we’ll be targeting.”

Dish’s satellite service currently starts at $30 per month for the first 12 months, but jumps to $55 per month after that. The Internet service would be much cheaper as long is it isn’t just an introductory rate.

One problem, however, is that networks still aren’t keen on unbundling their channels, and Dish’s recent deal with Disney doesn’t allow Dish to pick and choose which Disney-owned channels to carry, according to Bloomberg’s sources. If a subscriber wants ESPN, he or she may have to get the Disney Channel and ABC Family as well. That could make it tricky for Dish to keep prices down while offering a good selection of channels that 18-to-34-year-olds actually want.